Fantasy Book Reviews
The Crooked House by Dave Duncan
Avon, October 2000Paperback, 242 pages
ISBN: 0380800993
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Sir Stalwart and Emerald, a White Sister who can sniff
out magic, are back in this second installment of the
King's Dagger series, the young adult series set in
the same world in which Dave Duncan's popular
King's Blades series is set. When King Ambrose's
friend dies by mysterious causes in the middle of an elaborate
royal ceremony, Sir Stalwart (known to his friends as Wart) and
Sister Emerald are sent on a secret mission to find the
evil which clearly has infiltrated the King's court without
the knowledge of the Order of the White Sisters, whose
job is to sniff out illegal magic. Emerald and Wart set off with
Badger (a Blade in training)
towards the ancient Smealey Hall, about which some strange
rumors have been surfacing. But what they find at Smealey Hall
is an ancient evil which is much more than what Sir Stalwart
or Sister Emerald bargained for, and which may very
well mean the end of their young lives.
The King's Daggers series doesn't sacrifice any of the action, adventure or witty repartee which characterize the adult series set in the same world as The King's Blades. Emerald and Sir Stalwart are an engaging pair and Duncan does an excellent job of portraying the teens, Emerald and Wart, as well as keeping the storyline moving at a good clip. This is a wonderful series which both young adults and adults will enjoy.
Sky of Swords: A Tale of the King's Blades by Dave Duncan
Eos, Oct., 2000.Hardcover, 358 pages.
ISBN: 0380974622.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Sky of Swords is the third book in the outstanding
trilogy comprised of The Gilded Chain and
Lord of the Fire Lands. All three books take place in the same world,
but follow different characters in somewhat overlapping
timelines. But the endings of The Gilded Chain and
Lord of the Fire Lands totally contradict each other.
Sky of Swords resolves the
discrepancies, in a most intriguing way. This book
focuses on King Ambrose's brilliant, headstrong and much
mistreated daughter, Malinda and her sworn
defenders, the Blades of Ironhall. (The comparisons to
Henry the VIII and Elizabeth I are inescapable). This is
truly Malinda's story, and it is a fascinating one, indeed.
Malinda is a complex and endearing character, who
undergoes treachery, betrayal, adventure and even
a trial for murder and treason of her own father, while
attempting to avoid marriage to the Lord of the Fire Lands,
Raedgar and preserving the throne for her sickly half
brother, little Amby.
Malinda's story is full of action, adventure, court intrigue and -- somewhat unusually for Duncan -- quite a bit of steamy passion, which Duncan handles extremely well. Malinda's devoted Blades, especially the loyal Sir Dog and Sir Audley, are all marvelously portrayed. But surely this isn't the end of The King's Blades series. With any luck, Duncan will be writing new installments in the land of Chivial for years to come -- and readers are sure to be lining up to buy them.
--Claire E. White
Star Trek: Paper Universe by Andrew Pang
Pocket Books, September, 2000.Trade Paperback, 195 pages.
ISBN: 0671042157.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Andrew Pang brings the ancient art of origami
(paper folding) to the Star Trek universe with
fascinating results. The book includes instruction for
the basic folds of origami, and the basic directions
which you'll need to follow the diagrams. The book
contains step by step instructions for creating Federation,
Klingon and other alien craft, such as the Enterprise-E,
a Borg cube, a Klingon battlecruiser, a Cardassian warship,
Deep Space Nine space station and many more.
Ten sheets of origami paper are included
with the book as a bonus, but to really get the benefit from
this book, you should purchase your own supply of
origami paper to practice on first. The book is really intended
for those that already have some experience with origami,
so if you're a totally beginner you should start with the
easier folds such as the Borg Cube before you attempt
something as complicated as the U.S.S. Voyager or the
Enterprise E. This unique and creative book is a must-have
for origami devotees and Star Trek fans alike, and is sure
to
provide hours of enjoyment and entertainment.
Return to the December-January 2001 issue of The IWJ.
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